ISHPEMING, Mich. – The Northern Michigan University Nordic ski teams hosted the first leg of the Central Collegiate Ski Association Championshipon Saturday (Feb. 2) from the Al Quaal Recreational Center. The Wildcat men and women both won the freestyle sprints.

The men scored 73 points on the day to defeat St. Scholastica (65), Michigan Tech (64), Alaska Fairbanks (54), UW-Green Bay (41), Gustavus Adolphus (33) and St. Olaf (27).

Junior George Cartwright won the 1.6-kilometer race. Junior Ben Hugus finished fourth while junior Erik Soderman was sixth to round out the scoring for the Green and Gold. Sophomore Kyle Bratrud (24th) also raced for the Wildcats.

“It was a good day for us today,” NMU head coach Sten Fjeldheim said. “We had three guys in the A final, and I was really happy with the way George raced today. He just had a very controlled, smart race.”

On the women’s side, NMU’s three scorers placed in the top 10. Sophomore Elizabeth Simak finished first for the ‘Cats and third place overall. Junior Jordyn Ross was fifth and junior Rosie Frankowski placed 10th.